Punjab politics heats up ahead of PM Modi’s Dera Ballan visit on Feb 1
Dera Ballan, where PM Modi is scheduled to attend events linked to Guru Ravidas Jayanti, holds considerable religious, social and political significance in state
PTC Web Desk: Political activity in Punjab has intensified ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Dera Ballan in the Doaba region on February 1, with the event triggering fresh political messaging across party lines.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the Centre to rename Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas, a revered spiritual figure whose followers form a significant presence in the region. In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, CM Mann noted that the Prime Minister would land at Adampur airport during his visit to Jalandhar and appealed for the airport to be named in honour of Guru Ravidas, calling it a humble request reflecting the sentiments of the people of Punjab.
The appeal comes at a politically sensitive time, as Doaba is considered the spiritual heartland of the Ravidassia community. Dera Ballan, where the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend events linked to Guru Ravidas Jayanti, holds considerable religious, social and political significance in the state.
Recently, Dera Ballan head Sant Niranjan Das, along with senior leaders of the dera, met Prime Minister Modi and formally invited him to participate in the Guru Ravidas birth anniversary programmes on February 1. The meeting is being seen as part of wider outreach efforts amid evolving political dynamics in Punjab.
Scheduled Castes constitute nearly 32 per cent of Punjab’s population, with the Ravidassia community forming a substantial share, particularly in the Doaba belt. The region’s extensive dera network, strong overseas following and electoral influence have long made it a decisive factor in state politics. Of Punjab’s 117 Assembly seats, 23 are from Doaba, and political observers believe Dera Ballan exerts direct or indirect influence over at least 19 constituencies.
The Centre had earlier made a symbolic gesture towards the community by conferring the Padma Shri on Sant Niranjan Das, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has announced year-long celebrations to mark the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas.
Unlike earlier observances confined to a single day, the state government plans to organise extended cultural programmes, seminars and official events throughout the year, with full administrative participation.